The first castle was built in the town of Brakel in the 9th century, and was destroyed by the Vikings in 1009. A new castle was built during the 13th century, but was destroyed in 1321 when a fire broke out after the building was struck by lightning. The castle was rebuilt, only to be destroyed by the invading forces of Count Willem VI in 1407. Almost 100 years later, the castle was rebuilt again, but French forces destroyed it in 1672. The ruins that remain today are mostly from the 15th century. The Gelderland’s Landscape Foundation maintains the ruins and the surrounding park land.
